Part 5/10:
The Republican primary field has seen notable failures among erstwhile hopefuls. Scott Walker, once considered a potential game-changer in Wisconsin, quickly stumbled after his 2016 bid, failing to translate governor-level success into a national campaign and dropping out early. Similarly, Chris Christie, once a prominent GOP figure and governor of New Jersey, left office with dismal approval ratings and has struggled to garner any meaningful support in the current race. These examples showcase how difficult it is for state-level success to propel candidates to national prominence, especially against the overwhelming presence of Trump’s political machine.